Chương 151: Taking on Apprentices

really.

Upon hearing this, the gray-robed elder's eyes flashed slightly, and his amiable smile faded somewhat. He pressed on, "Oh? Young friend, is your master also a fellow Nascent Soul cultivator? May I ask which fellow cultivator? I have cultivated for hundreds of years and know most of the Nascent Soul cultivators in the Chaotic Star Sea. Perhaps I even have some connection with your master. Young friend, you might as well tell me. Perhaps, for your master's sake, this matter can be discussed."

He clearly didn't fully believe it and asked Zhou Ding to give a specific name to verify its authenticity.

Zhou Ding felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that the other party was not easily fooled.

He had no idea he knew any Nascent Soul stage master; he was just bluffing.

But now he was caught in a dilemma, and could only grit his teeth and continue fabricating: "My master—his Taoist name is Yunyin—he has been in seclusion for many years, detached from worldly affairs, and you may not have heard of him."

He casually made up a Taoist name, trying to appear mysterious and low-key.

"Hidden Clouds?"

The gray-robed elder frowned almost imperceptibly, as if searching his memory, then shook his head, a half-smile playing on his lips: "This Daoist title, I have indeed never heard of before. However, the Chaotic Star Sea is vast, and there are many reclusive senior experts; it is normal that I do not know it. Since your esteemed master is also a Nascent Soul cultivator, that is even better."

Throughout my life, I have loved making friends with people from all walks of life, especially those of the same level.

Why don't you lead the way, young friend, and let me pay a visit to this fellow Daoist Yunyin? We can also discuss the ownership of this demon core in person. What do you say?

In this way, neither the harmony between my young friend and his apprentice will be harmed, nor will my needs be compromised. Wouldn't that be a win-win situation?

lead the way?

call?

Zhou Ding's inward sneer intensified.

That old fellow is indeed cunning and shrewd. He doesn't believe my words at all, and instead uses this as an excuse to force me to reveal my flaws.

If you refuse or are unable to lead the way, the other party will immediately conclude that you are bluffing, and at that point there will probably be no room for negotiation.

"I appreciate your kindness, senior. However, my master's secluded cultivation place is protected by an extremely powerful restriction formation. Moreover, before he went into seclusion, he strictly ordered that no one should disturb him unless he came out of seclusion on his own initiative. Otherwise, if the restriction is activated, I will not be able to escape death."

"Please forgive me, but I am truly unable to accept your request to take you there, senior."

Zhou Ding's tone remained respectful, but his refusal was obvious. At the same time, his body tensed slightly, ready to take action at any moment.

He knew that things were unlikely to end well today.

Sure enough, the last trace of a smile on the old man's face vanished completely, replaced by a cold indifference and a faint anger at being "played".

He sighed softly, as if quite regretful: "Young friend, it seems you are unwilling to cooperate. Very well, since you are unwilling to reveal your lineage and hand over the demon core, then this old man will have no choice but to—take it personally."

Before he finished speaking, his hunched figure didn't even move; only his withered right hand, seemingly casually, made a light grab in the direction of Zhou Ding.

"Buzz!"

The air around Zhou Ding instantly froze!

An invisible yet incredibly vast and terrifying force, like an invisible cage, instantly enveloped him and Xiao Jin beside him!

This is not magic, but a domain suppression formed by the Nascent Soul cultivator's exquisite control over the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and his own vast magical power!

Under this force, Zhou Ding felt as if he had been trapped in viscous amber, his body felt as heavy as a mountain, his magic power became extremely sluggish, and even breathing became difficult!

Under such suppression, an ordinary Core Formation cultivator would probably find it difficult to even move a finger!

"roar--!"

Little Jin, enveloped by the domain, let out a furious roar!

Its body surface suddenly erupted with a dark golden demonic light, like burning golden flames, forcibly breaking through the suppression of that invisible domain!

Having advanced to level six and acquired a primordial bloodline and a powerful physique tempered by top-grade demon bloodstones, it possesses resistance capabilities far exceeding those of its peers!

Its massive body shuddered violently, and it was about to pounce on the gray-robed old man!

"Oh? There's definitely something to it."

The old man in the gray robe looked even more surprised, which then turned into deeper interest and a hint of cold killing intent: "I'm determined to have this spirit beast."

He no longer held back; the five fingers of his withered right hand slowly clenched together in Xiao Jin's direction.

As he closed his five fingers, the invisible domain that enveloped Zhou Ding and Xiao Jin suddenly contracted and squeezed!

The pressure increased several times over in an instant!

The space itself creaked under the strain, as if it were about to be crushed!

This time, even the demonic light emanating from Xiao Jin's body was suppressed, flickering violently and uncertainly. Its massive body emitted a teeth-grinding "creaking" sound, as its scales and bones endured terrifying pressure!

Zhou Ding's face flushed red, veins bulged on his forehead, and the "Hundred Beasts Body Forging Technique" was running wildly in his body. His powerful physical blood and qi erupted, and with the pure mana of the mid-stage Core Formation realm, he barely managed to stabilize his body under the pressure of this terrifying domain and was not crushed instantly.

However, their actions were already severely restricted.

"A Nascent Soul cultivator—truly terrifying!"

Zhou Ding felt a chill run down his spine.

This is merely the domain suppression formed by the opponent's casual grab. If they were to truly unleash their supernatural powers and magical treasures, how terrifying would their power be?

He knew he could no longer hold back.

In the blink of an eye, a cold light flashed in Zhou Ding's eyes, and the aura that had been suppressed and restrained suddenly erupted!

It wasn't magical power, but a terrifying divine consciousness that was as vast as the sea, as condensed as steel, and comparable to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm!

An invisible storm of divine consciousness, centered on him, swept out fiercely and collided violently with the gray-robed old man's domain power!

Although it couldn't completely negate the opponent's domain suppression, it instantly created a small, relatively "loose" area around itself!

At the same time, he flicked his sleeve, and a golden light silently slid into his palm.

It was one of the most powerful trump cards of the ancient cultivators of the Heavenly Talisman Sect, the "Six Heavenly Soldiers Talisman"!

As he prepared to activate the talisman and summon the phantom of the Six Jia Divine Generals to fight this Nascent Soul old monster to the death.

"roar--!!!"

Xiao Jin, who had been suppressed by the domain and whose ferocity had been fully unleashed, let out a deafening roar!

Suddenly, a blinding dark golden light burst forth from the gaps in its dark, gilded scales!

A primordial ferocity several times stronger than before, mixed with a strange force field that seemed capable of suppressing the heavens and freezing time and space, suddenly erupted from its body!

"Buzz!"

The gray-robed elder's originally unshakeable, invisible domain, which controlled heaven and earth, was violently rippled and twisted like a lake surface with a boulder thrown in, under the impact of this sudden, terrifying force field originating from the depths of his bloodline!

The suppressive force was greatly reduced instantly!

Taking advantage of this brief moment, Xiao Jin's massive body suddenly stood upright, its dark golden vertical pupils fixed on the gray-robed old man a hundred feet away, burning with fierce fighting spirit and icy killing intent.

Its forelimbs, which had been retracted, extended once more. On the tips of its claws, a cold and deep dark light condensed and flowed wildly, emanating an aura of destruction that caused the surrounding space to subtly distort and collapse!

"What kind of bloodline is this?!"

The composure and indifference on the old man's face were finally broken, and for the first time, he revealed genuine shock and solemnity.

He could clearly feel that the bloodline power erupting from the dark golden beast in front of him made even a Nascent Soul cultivator like himself feel a chill in his heart!

The dark light emanating from its claws gave him an extremely dangerous and deadly feeling!

"It seems that without getting serious, I really can't take down you two juniors." The gray-robed elder's eyes turned completely cold, and the pale blue spiritual light around him began to surge wildly. A spiritual pressure far more terrifying and vast than before, like an ancient behemoth awakening, slowly spread out.

He no longer regarded Zhou Ding and Xiao Jin as prey that could be easily manipulated, but as opponents that needed to be taken seriously.

Seeing this, Zhou Ding knew that the final battle was about to begin.

Without further hesitation, he channeled his inner power into the "Six Jia Heavenly Soldiers Talisman" in his palm, and golden light began to blaze forth on the talisman!

At the same time, his powerful divine sense once again became highly concentrated, locking onto the gray-robed old man, searching for the perfect opportunity to launch the "Soul-Destroying Thorn" again.

Between the sea and the sky, a chilling atmosphere was palpable, pressing down even the leaden-gray clouds.

The terrifying spiritual pressure that the Nascent Soul elder suddenly unleashed was like an invisible tsunami, impacting Zhou Ding's soul and body wave after wave.

Although the power of the domain was strong, it was somewhat loosened by the primordial bloodline force field that Xiao Jin unleashed, but it was still like a heavy shackle, binding Zhou Ding's every inch of movement.

However, to Zhou Ding's surprise, the gray-robed old man did not immediately launch a thunderous attack.

The pale blue aura surging around him subsided slightly, and his deep, bright eyes fell on Zhou Ding once more. After scrutinizing him for a moment, he slowly spoke again, his voice returning to its previous "calmness," yet carrying an undeniable air of authority: "Young friend, I'm giving you one last chance."

The gray-robed elder's gaze was like lightning, as if he could see through Zhou Ding's true intentions: "Hand over the demon core of the Azure-Feathered Black Crow, and swear a solemn oath against your inner demons. Take this spirit beast with you and return to my cave to await my command.

I swear on my Dao heart that as long as you sincerely submit, I will not only not harm you, but will also bestow upon you insights into the Nascent Soul stage, guide you on your path, and help you condense your Nascent Soul as soon as possible. With your aptitude and opportunities, coupled with my guidance, achieving the Nascent Soul stage, or even a higher realm, is not impossible. Why fight me to the death here and sever your own path?"

His tone softened, carrying a hint of earnest advice, as if he were genuinely considering Zhou Ding's well-being.

They offered enticing prospects such as "insights into the Nascent Soul stage," "guidance on the path to enlightenment," and even "higher realms," attempting to undermine Zhou Ding's fighting spirit and induce him to submit.

Throughout his long life, the Nascent Soul Old Monster had mastered the art of using both soft and hard tactics, coercion and enticement.

He could see that Zhou Ding was extraordinary, and he was determined to get his hands on the strange and magical beast, Xiao Jin.

If the best outcome could be achieved by subduing the man and the beast without bloodshed, it would undoubtedly be the best result.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ding's inward sneer intensified.

This explanation is even more hypocritical and blatant than the previous claim of "accepting apprentices".

Are you at my beck and call?

How is that any different from being a slave?

Once the inner demon makes a solemn vow, one's life and death are in the hands of others, and there is no longer any freedom to speak of.

So-called guidance and mentorship are nothing but castles in the air, empty promises.

Once he loses his usefulness, or once this old monster gets everything he wants, his fate is predictable.

When Zhou Ding entered the world of cultivation, he was pursuing a carefree and immortal life, and he would never entrust his life and fortune to others.

Zhou Ding took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger and killing intent in his heart. He tried his best to maintain a respectful expression and a hint of "struggle" on his face. He cupped his hands again to the gray-robed old man, and said in a sincere but firm tone: "Senior's kindness is appreciated. However, I already have a master and my path is set. I dare not turn to another sect and betray my master. I hope senior will forgive me."

That Azure-feathered Crow Demon Core is of great use to my master, and I really cannot hand it over.

It was my fault for offending my seniors today.

"If you, senior, would be so merciful as to let me go, I swear to heaven that I will never reveal what happened today, and if I have the chance in the future, I will definitely repay your kindness in sparing my life. Senior is a Nascent Soul expert with a broad mind; why should you stoop to the level of a mere Core Formation cultivator like me?"

His words still emphasized that he had a mentor behind him, trying to make the other party wary. At the same time, he lowered his stance and made promises of "secrecy" and "future repayment" in the hope of gaining a glimmer of hope.

Although he knew the chances were slim, he was unwilling to completely break ties and fight to the death until the very last moment.

"snort!"

The last trace of "peace" on the gray-robed old man's face finally vanished completely, replaced by a cold rage that erupted after being repeatedly "played" and "rejected".

His eyes flashed with a cold light, and his voice suddenly turned chilling: "What a sharp-tongued, ungrateful brat! You think you can get away with anything just because you've had a bit of luck and tamed a strange beast? You dare to bargain with me? You won't listen to reason! Since you're determined to die, I'll grant your wish! Once I've captured you, extracted your soul, and refined your spirit, all your secrets, including the origin of this spirit beast, will be crystal clear!"

Before he finished speaking, he stopped talking nonsense, raised his withered right hand, and gently pointed at the void!

"Zheng—!"

A clear and melodious sword cry resounded throughout the heavens and earth!

A streak of dark blue light shot out from his sleeve, growing larger as it faced the wind, and instantly transformed into an ancient giant sword about three zhang long, entirely dark blue, with ice crack patterns covering its blade, and radiating a chilling aura!

The giant sword was surrounded by a visible pale blue mist of cold air. Wherever it passed, the air froze, the sea surface formed a thick layer of ice, and the temperature plummeted!

It was a high-quality ancient flying sword with ice attributes!

"Go!" the gray-robed old man shouted, pointing his sword.

"Whoosh!"

The azure greatsword let out a sharp, piercing whistle, transforming into a bolt of blue lightning. Carrying a terrifying power capable of freezing everything and tearing through the void, it did not strike Zhou Ding, but instead went straight for Xiao Jin, who had just unleashed his bloodline force field and loosened the domain's suppression!

Clearly, the old man was determined to deal with this "strange beast" with its amazing defense that had caused him so much trouble. Once he captured or severely injured Xiao Jin, Zhou Ding would be like a turtle in a jar, completely at his mercy.